McLaren’s tenure at Newcastle perilous after boasts

The former England manager famously promised the long-suffering Toon Army "trophies" when he was given the top job in June.

He might have been better off settling for just some goals to start with.

Six games into the new Premier League season and the team is still looking for its first win. Not only that, with just three goals to its credit, Newcastle is the lowest-scoring team in the top four tiers of English football.

It couldn't even find the net mid-week, beaten 1-0 at home in the third round of the League Cup by Championship side Sheffield Wednesday, even though it fielded second-stringers.

After the match, McLaren continued with his post-game ritual of walking to the middle of the field to applaud the fans for their support.

His clapping was met only with jeers.

He will need a major form reversal from his team tonight to get a different outcome against Chelsea.

After the horror start to the season, McLaren is equal second-favourite with Sunderland's Dick Advocaat to be the next EPL manager sacked. The favourite is Liverpool's Brendan Rodgers who could be gone regardless of the result against Aston Villa tonight. Jurgen Klopp and Carlo Ancelotti are the front-runners to replace him at Anfield.